Two peers were at this juncture sent to negotiate with the royal family.  The ministers, with Polignac at their head, went out also to Saint-Cloud.  “Sire,” said one of the negotiators, “if in an hour the ordonnances are not rescinded, there will be neither king nor kingdom.”  “Could you not offer me two hours?” said the king, sarcastically, as he turned to leave the chamber.  The envoy, an old man, fell on his knees and seized the skirt of the king’s coat.  “Think of the dauphine!” he cried, imploringly.  The king seemed moved, but made no answer.

In Paris, Marmont, whose heart was with the insurgents, endeavored nevertheless to do his duty; but his troops deserted him.  On learning this, Talleyrand walked up to his clock, saying solemnly:  “Take notice that on July 29, 1830, at five minutes past twelve o’clock, the elder branch of the Bourbons ceased to reign.”

The Louvre was taken, and the Tuileries.  There was no general pillage, the insurgents contenting themselves with breaking the statues of kings and other signs of royalty.

One of the most obnoxious persons in Paris was the archbishop.  The mob fought to the music of “Ca ira.” with new words:—­

  “C’est l’Archeveque de Paris
  Qui est Jesuite comme Charles Dix. 
  Dansons la Carmagnole; dansons la Carmagnole,
    Et ca ira!”

There were deeds of heroism, deeds of self-sacrifice. deeds of loyalty, deeds of cruelty, and deeds of mercy, as there always are in Paris in times of revolution.  By nightfall on the 29th the fighting was over.  It only remained to be seen what would be done with the victory.  The evening before, Laffitte had sent a messenger to Louis Philippe, then residing two miles from Paris, at his Chateau de Neuilly, warning him to hold himself in readiness for anything that might occur.  Lafayette had been made governor of Paris, and thus held in his hand the destinies of France.  Under him served an improvised municipal commune.

By this time Prince Polignac had been dismissed, and the Duc de Montemart had been summoned by the king to form a more liberal ministry.  Everything was in confusion in the palace.  The weary troops, who had marched to the defence of Saint-Cloud when the struggle in Paris became hopeless, were scattered about the park unfed and uncared-for.

The king, having at last made up his mind to yield, sent the envoys who had been despatched to him, back to Paris, saying:  “Go, gentlemen, go; tell the Parisians that the king revokes the ordonnances.  But I declare to you that I believe this step will be fatal to the interests of France and of the monarchy.”

The envoys on reaching Paris were met by the words:  “Too late!  The throne of Charles X. has already passed from him in blood.”